Water heater tank support



D60 1964 A. L. BUEHL ETAL WATER HEATER TANK SUPPORT Filed March 7, 1961 /4 INVENTOR.

HAM/01.0 A. Bus/1L Patented Dec. 29, 1964 3,163,159 WATER HEATER TANK SUPPORT Arnoid L. Bnehl, Cleveland, and Ernest 'Wenczl, Parma, Ohio, assignors to Mort-Flo Industries, Inn, :1 corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 93,983 10 Claims. (Cl. 126-363) This invention relates to a water heater support structure of a type adapted for use in a household heater wherein the support structure provides heating means and support for the tank in such manner as to insure optimum positioning of the tank relative to the burner element, ease of access to the burner element for adjusting and manipulating the same and wherein the base is readily adaptable for various size water tanks.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a water heater support structure of the above type characterized by its simplicity of structure, economy of manufacture, and its overall effectiveness in use.

Other objects of the invention and the invention itself will be readily apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water heater support structure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the support structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of a closure member in association with the water heater base; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of the base legs taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings, the invention as herein illustrated comprises a base 1 having a plurality of downwardly projecting legs 2 which maintain the base in spaced relation above a supporting surface, and an upwardly projecting tank support or skirt member 3. The base 1 provides mounting means for a burner assembly generally indicated at 4, and the base and skirt member are connected to form a unitary structure by means of the legs 2.

The base 1 is preferably formed from sheet metal or like material and comprises a circular support portion having a central, downwardly recessed portion 11 and a circumferentially continuous, upwardly directed peripheral flange 12. The recessed portion 11 is integrally connected to the support portion 10 by means of a frustoconical wall 13, said wall having a plurality of circumferentially evenly spaced, arcuate openings 14 therein. The recessed portion 11 is centrally apertured at 15 to provide means for mounting a burner to the base, and the support portion 10 has a plurality of circumferentially evenly spaced apertures 16 therein adapted to receive up- Wardly projecting portions of the plurality of legs 2.

As well shown in FIG. 5, each leg 2, as herein illus trated, is formed from sheet metal or the like and is generally U-shape in horizontal section having an outer vertical wall 243 inwardly recessed at 26 and a pair of parailel, right angularly disposed, vertical side Wall portions 21. The side wall portions 21 are irregular in shape having narrow, reduced portions 22 adjacent their upper ends which are adapted to project upwardly above the apertures 16 in the support portion of the base and to be so positionedthat the radiallyinwardly directed edges of said narrow portions abut the outer peripheral surface of the skirt member 3. Each leg 2 is adapted to support the base 1 in the vertical medial region of said leg and for this purpose, at least one side wall portion 21 of each leg is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 23 which projects inwardly beyond the adjacent edge of the associated aperture 16 beneath the support portion 10 of the base. Thus the lugs 23 limit the extent to which the legs 2 can project upwardly through the apertures 16 and also provide means for supporting the base 1.

A vertically upstanding spacer lug 24 projects upwardly and parallel with each narrow portion 22 of the walls 21, said spacer lugs being spaced inwardly from the inner vertical edges of said narrow portions thereby affording a notch 25 between each spacer lug and each narrow portion 22. The spacer lug 24 projects upwardly through the associated aperture 16 with the inwardly directed edge of said spacer lug abutting the edge of the aperture whereby the base 1 is prevented from shifting laterally relative to the legs.

The skirt member 3 is also preferably formed from sheet metal or the like and comprises a C-shape member having circumferentially directed edge portions spaced apart sufficiently to allow access to the interior thereof and particularly to the burner assembly 4. Said skirt member is spaced radially inwardly a substantial distance from the flange 12 of the base 1 and projects vertically upwardly a substantial distance above the upper edge of said flange. The lower edge of the skirt member 3 is disposed at spaced intervals within the notches 25 of the legs 2 whereby said skirt member is held radially captive between the narrow portions 22 of the legs and the spacer lugs 24. The upper end of each leg 2 is secured to the skirt member 3 by means of a sheet metal screw 27 or the like which projects through the bottom of the recess 26 and into a suitable aperture in said skirt member.

The upper peripheral edge portion of the skirt member 3 is radially inwardly stepped to provide a reduced collar 31 which extends completely around the circumferential dimension of said skirt member. The circumferentially directed, spaced end portions of the skirt member, indicated at 31, are provided adjacent their lower ends with outwardly struck, circumferentially directed retainer members 32. The retainer members 32 are parallel with the walls of the skirt member itself but are so formed as to be disposed radially outwardly a slight distance from the outer peripheral surface of said skirt member and are open at the end portions 31.

A preferably circular, sheet metal baffie 33 is disposed within the skirt member 3, said baffle being of such dimension that the outer periphery thereof is spaced radially inwardly a short distance from the inner peripheral surface of said skirt member. The bafiie 33 is spaced upwardly above the support portion 10 of the base 1 by means of a plurality of integrally formed, downwardly projecting legs 34 the lower ends of which are turned outwardly and upwardly to form hooks 35. The hooks 35 are hooked under the lower peripheral edge of the skirt member 33 whereby said baffle 33 is held securely in place within the skirt member and is effectively prevented from shifting laterally therein. It will be noted that the legs 34 project radially outwardly a short distance from the outer periphery of the baffle 33 before being directed downwardly whereby said legs are disposed closely adjacent the inner peripheral surface of the skirt member. Saidbafile is also provided with an enlarged, central opening 36 which afiords means for the burner assembly 4 to project upwardly above the level of said baffle.

The burner assembly 4 comprises a combustion type burner 40 mounted centrally of the recessed portion 11 of the base 1 coaxially over the central aperture 15 of said recessed portion. The burner is generally tubular in form and extends upwardly from the recessed portion 11 through the central opening 36 of the baffle 33, the upper end of said burner constituting a jet portion 41 which has a superposed, upwardly spaced canopy 42 connected to the burner by means of a support 43 which project's'downwardly into the tubular burner with the lower'end thereoflaterally oifset and welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inner peripheral surface of said burner. The jet portion 41 is adapted, when the burner is lit, to "emit a flame whose pattern is optimally determined and controlled by the size, shape, and position of the canopy 42.

A suitable fuel such as "a combustible gas is supplied tothe burner 40 through a main gas line 44 which has at its terminal end a threaded adapter or'fitting'45. The fitting '45 projects upwardly through the central aperture '15 with the upper end thereof being thread fitted into the lowermost end of the burner 40 as indicated at 46. A nut 47 is'pro'vided on'the fitting beneath the recessed portion '11 avhereby'the burner 4% is tightly seated upon 'the'upper surface'of said recessed portion over'the central aperture 15 thereof.

The lower portion of the burner '40 is provided with a sequently burne d at the jet portion 4-1. The shutter '49 :issleevelike in form and is telescoped over the tubular burner whereby it may be slidably positioned to determinethe extent to'which the'orifices will be opened or closed.

A suitable pilot burner "50 is provided adjacent the main burner 40 and is so positi'one'd as to be able to ignite the'gas when it is supplied to said main burner. Thepilot burner 54) is mounted to the support portion 10 ofthe base lby means of an L-shaped bracket 51 which is secured against the lower side of said support :portion "and extends radially inwardly through a slot 52 in the frusto-conical wall 13 which extends from the inner periphery ofsaid'sup'port portion inwardly to one of the arcuate'openings 14. The bracket '51 is secured to the support portion'lll in any suitable manner such as by a bolt andwing nut assembly 53. Gas is fed to the pilot burner 50 through a pilot gas line 54, and a c'ircuitl-ine 55"is connectedt'o a safety thermocouple 56 mounted to said pilot burner in a conventional manner and adapted to actuate a suitable control (not shown) for shutting off 'all of the "gas if the pilot light goes out. It will be understood that both of the gas lines 44 and 54 are connected to a suitable supply source through conventional thermostat control valve means (not shown) "which normally'supply a continuous flow of gas to the pilot burner 50'and an intermittent flow of gas to the main burner in response to changes in temperature of'the Water within the'storage tank.

The radially inwardly ofiset collar 30 of the skirt member 3 provides 'mea'ns' for seating thereupon a water storage tank'which is fragmentarily indicated at 5 in FIGS.

'3 and 4. As will be noted, the lower end of the 'tank '5 provides a downwardly directed, peripheral flange 5a of 'substantially the same diameter as the skirt member? and adapted to telescope over the reduced collar '30. The radially inward step of the collar'30 thereby afiords a surface uponwhich the tank 5 rests.

The' flange"5a ofthe tank 5 is circumferentially con- 40 operates.

tinuous and bridges the gap between the circumferentially directed and portions 31 of the skirt member 3. As best shown in FIG. 4, a closure member or door 60 is provided to close the opening between the end portions 31. Said door is generally arcuate in form to complement the curvature of the skirt member 3 and is manufactured from flat sheet metal of such size that it overlaps said end portions with its lower side edges being disposed within the retainer members 32. Vertically directed ribs 66 are formed outwardly from the door at at its lower edge and spaced inwardly from its side edges, said ribs being so spaced as to fit slidably between the circumferentially spaced retainer members 32. The retainer members 32 holdthe lower end of the door 60 in place against the outer surface of the end portions 31. The upper portion of said door is provided with a rotatable latch member 61 comprising a rotatable shaft 62 disposed through a suitable opening in the door and having a handle 63 at its outer end and a catch member 64 at its inner end. The latch member 61 is rotatable in either direction, and the catch member 64 has an extended portion 65 which is adapted to overlap the inner peripheral surface of the flange 5a when said extended portion is rotated into a vertically upwardly projecting position as shown in FIG. 4. Removal of the door 60 is eflected by rotating the handle 63 whereby the extended portion 65 is pivoted away from the flange 5a and disengaged therefrom. This allows the door'60 to be moved vertically upwardly whereby the lower side edges thereof are removed from behind the retainer members 32. It will be noted, as best shown in FIG. 2, that the opening between the circumferentially directed end portions 31 is disposed -gen erally opposite the pilot burner 53 whereby removal of said door aflords access to the pilot burner for purposes of adjustment, inspection, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the space between the flange 12 of the base 1 and the skirt member 3 may be utilized for the positioning of suitable heat insulating material indicated in broken line at 6. One manner of positioning said heat insulating material is to provide a sheet metal drum or casingas indicated -in broken line at 7, said casing being positioned just inside of the flange 12 thereby providing a space between'the casing and the tank or skirt member to be filled with the heat insulating material.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the assembly of the various elements as herein described in detail provides -a lower end construction for-a water heater wherein the various elements serve multiple purposes in such manner as to provide a structure of great simplicity. The baseprovides support for the skirt-member and the tank is so formed as to provide an optimum flow of air to and around the burner 40. Air for said burner enters through the arcuate openings 14 to enter the orifices 48 to provide primary air to the burner and flows upwardly around said burner through the central opening 36 and around the bathe 33 thereby affordingsecondary air in the area of the jet 41. The baffle 33 protects the lower portion of the burner from the heat of the flame at the jet and at the same time aids in reflecting heat upwardly'toward the bottom of the tank 5. The skirt member '3 not only provides support for the tank but defines the combustion chamber in which the burner The legs space the base 1 above the level of the supporting surface and ultimately support all of the weight of the heater while at the same time serving as a connection means between the base and the skirt member. The upwardly extending portions of the legs additionaly serve to concentrically position the skirt member 3 relative to the base whereby space is maintained in a uniform manner around the water tank for the installation of insulating material as hereinabove described if desired.

It will be understood thatmany changes in the details of this invention as herein illustrated and described may be made without, however, departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a water heater, a base having an upwardly projecting heating element; said base having apertures therein afiording a flow of air to said heating element; a skirt member disposed upon said base and providing means for engaging and supporting a tank; said skirt member defining a combustion chamber substantially surrounding the upper end of said heating element; legs having portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base at spaced intervals around said skirt; said legs having means supporting said base; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

2. In a water heater, a base having a centrally disposed, upwardly projecting, combustion type burner; said base having aperture means therein surrounding said burner and affording a flow of air to said burner; a skirt member disposed upon said base substantially surrounding said burner and defining a combustion chamber for said burner; a plurality of legs having portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base at spaced intervals around said skirt adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said skirt; said legs having means projecting beneath and supporting said base; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

3. In a water heater, a base having centrally mounted thereto an upwardly projecting, combustion type burner; said base having aperture means therein surrounding said burner and affording a flow of air to said burner; a skirt member disposed upon said base substantially surrounding said burner and defining a combustion chamber for said burner; a bafile surrounding said burner within said skirt member and spaced radially from said skirt member; said baffle having a central opening through which said burner projects and extends above said bafile; a plurality of legs having portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base at spaced intervals around said skirt adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said skirt; said legs having inwardly projecting lug members projecting beneath and supporting said base; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

4. In a water heater, a base having an upstanding burner mounted thereon; said base having aperture means surrounding said burner; a skirt member disposed upon said base around said burner; a plurality of legs having portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base adjacent the periphery of said skirt member; said legs having inwardly projecting lug members projecting beneath and supporting said base and upwardly directed lugs projecting inside said skirt member and engaging the lower edge of said skirt member; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

5. In a water heater, a base member having a central, downwardly recessed portion having upwardly diverging, frusto-conical walls; an upstanding burner mounted within said recessed portion; said walls having apertures therein surrounding said burner; a skirt member disposed upon said base around said burner; a plurality of legs having reduced portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said skirt; said legs having inwardly projecting lugs extending beneath and supporting said base and upwardly projecting lugs projecting inside said skirt member and engaging the lower edge of said skirt member; the upwardly projecting reduced portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

6. In a water tank, a base having an upstanding burner mounted thereon; said base having aperture means surrounding said burner; a skirt member disposed upon said base around said burner; said skirt member having an upwardly projecting, reduced collar portion adapted to receive the lower peripheral flange of a tank; a plurality of legs having upwardly directed reduced portions projecting through openings in said base adjacent the periphery of said skirt member; said legs having inwardly projecting lugs projecting beneath and supporting said base and upwardly projecting lugs projecting inside said skirt member and engaging the lower edge of said skirt member; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

7. In a water heater, a base having an upstanding burner mounted thereon; said base having aperture means therein at spaced intervals around said burner; a C- shaped skirt member disposed upon said base around said burner with the ends thereof being circumferentially spaced; a plurality of legs having reduced portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base and disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said skirt member; said legs having inwardly directed lugs projecting beneath and supporting said base and upwardly directed lugs projecting inside said skirt member and engaging the lower edge of said skirt member; the upwardly project-ing, reduced portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

8. In a water heater, a base having an upstanding burner mounted thereon; said base having aperture means therein at spaced intervals around said burner; a C-shaped skirt member disposed upon said base around said burner with the ends thereof circumferentially spaced; said skirt member having an upwardly projecting, reduced collar portion adapted to receive the lower peripheral flange of a tank; the lower edge of said skirt member having radially outwardly oifset retainers formed at the spaced ends thereof; a door overlapping said spaced ends and closing the space therebetwecn; said door adapted to interfit said retainers at the lower end thereof and having a latch member adjacent the upper end thereof rotatable to a position whereby it engages inside the lower peripheral flange of a tank positioned upon said skirt member; a plurality of legs having reduced portions projecting upwardly through openings in said base and disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said skirt member; said legs having inwardly directed lugs projecting beneath and supporting said base; the upwardly projecting, reduced portions of said legs being secured to said skirt member.

9. In a water heater, a base having a central, downwardly directed recess therein; said recess having a frustoconical wall diverging upwardly; said wall having circumferentially spaced apertures therein; an upwardly projecting burner mounted centrally in said recess; a C-shaped tank support positioned on said base and surrounding said recess and defining a combustion chamber for said burner; said tank support having spaced; circumferentially directed end portions affording access to said combustion chamber; a baffle disposed within said tank support around said burner and spaced upwardly from said base; said bafiie being uniformly radially spaced from said tank support throughout the extent of its outer peripheral edge; a plurality of legs having reduced portions projecting upwardlythrough openings in said base adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said tank support; said legs having inwardly projecting lugs projecting beneath and supporting said base and upwardly directed lugs projecting inside said tank support and engaging the lower edge of said tank support; the upwardly projecting portions of said legs being secured to said tank support.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the recited tank support. has an upwardly projecting, reduced collar adapted to receive the lower peripheral flange of a tank; the lower edge of said tank support having radially outwardly otfset retainers formed at the spaced ends thereof; a door overlapping said spaced ends and inter.- fitting said retainers adjacent its lower end; said door having a latch member adjacent the upper end thereof rotatable to a position whereby it engages inside the lower 7 '55 peripheral flange of a tank positioned upon said 'tank 1,288,392 Dewey Dec. 17., 1918 support; :said base "having an upstanding, circum'feren- 1,467,815 Roemer Sept. 11, 19.23 flally continuous flange at its outerperiphery spaceii'I-adi- 2,003,579 Conant June 4, 1935 any outwardly from said tank support and adapt d 10 2,160,994 Whitehurst Inns .6, 1939 receive the lower end of a water heater casing. 5 2,200,304 lSands May 14, v1940 w this Patent 313321323 $51255?iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'ifiif 3.3: 1322 UNITED STATES vPNFENFTS 2,419,379- Tindell Apr. 22, .1947 34,548 -Easfe'rly :'Feb. 25, 1862 2;650,575 Carlson Sept. 1, 1953 592,273 B'oe'Gk i.h (3ct.-26, 1897 10 42,822,867 Sassmanhauser Feb.11,1958 

1. IN A WATER HEATER, A BASE HAVING AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING HEATING ELEMENT; SAID BASE HAVING APERTURES THEREIN AFFORDING A FLOW OF AIR TO SAID HEATING ELEMENT; A SKIRT MEMBER DISPOSED UPON SAID BASE AND PROVIDING MEANS FOR ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING A TANK; SAID SKIRT MEMBER DEFINING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER SUBSTANTIALLY SURROUNDING THE UPPER END OF SAID HEATING ELEMENT; LEGS HAVING PORTIONS PROJECTING UPWARDLY THROUGH OPENINGS IN SAID BASE AT SPACED INTERVALS AROUND SAID SKIRT; SAID LEGS HAVING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID BASE; THE UPWARDLY PROJECTING PORTIONS OF SAID LEGS BEING SECURED TO SAID SKIRT MEMBER. 